RORY MCILROY PUT his rivals on red alert with a brilliant opening round at the $10 million WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Thursday.
The world number seven teed off with a bogey-free 65 at Firestone Country Club, showing the same form that carried him to a share of second place at the Open a fortnight ago.
McIlroy hit the turn in two-under after birdies at 11 and 18, and then birdied the par-five second after a magnificent approach shot.
A 25-foot birdie putt dropped at the next before he completed his haul with a short birdie at the par-three fifth.
McIlroy sits two shots off the early clubhouse lead, held by Kyle Stanley on seven-under par. Patrick Cantlay sits in second place outright on six-under.
Advertisement
Tiger Woods, who has won the Bridgestone an incredible eight times, is three shots back after a four-under par 66 on Thursday.
“I kind of fought out a score today, which is good,” said Woods, whose last tournament title came in the Bridgestone in 2013.
SIPA USA / PA Images
SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images
He got off to a strong start, setting himself up for birdie at the 11th with a 135-yard approach to four feet.
At the par-five 16th he rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt and after finding the left rough at the 18th he drained a 50-footer to get to three-under.
Woods, who hit six of 12 fairways in regulation, made up for some trouble off the tee with some solid putting, making an 18-footer for birdie at the par-three fifth and a 25-footer for birdie at the par-three seventh.
“I didn’t really kind of have it with my ball-striking today, but I just hung in there and missed it in the proper spots pretty much all day and made a couple of putts,” Woods said.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
5 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Five birdies, no bogeys, as McIlroy launches Bridgestone bid with super 65
RORY MCILROY PUT his rivals on red alert with a brilliant opening round at the $10 million WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Thursday.
The world number seven teed off with a bogey-free 65 at Firestone Country Club, showing the same form that carried him to a share of second place at the Open a fortnight ago.
McIlroy hit the turn in two-under after birdies at 11 and 18, and then birdied the par-five second after a magnificent approach shot.
A 25-foot birdie putt dropped at the next before he completed his haul with a short birdie at the par-three fifth.
McIlroy sits two shots off the early clubhouse lead, held by Kyle Stanley on seven-under par. Patrick Cantlay sits in second place outright on six-under.
Tiger Woods, who has won the Bridgestone an incredible eight times, is three shots back after a four-under par 66 on Thursday.
“I kind of fought out a score today, which is good,” said Woods, whose last tournament title came in the Bridgestone in 2013.
He got off to a strong start, setting himself up for birdie at the 11th with a 135-yard approach to four feet.
At the par-five 16th he rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt and after finding the left rough at the 18th he drained a 50-footer to get to three-under.
Woods, who hit six of 12 fairways in regulation, made up for some trouble off the tee with some solid putting, making an 18-footer for birdie at the par-three fifth and a 25-footer for birdie at the par-three seventh.
“I didn’t really kind of have it with my ball-striking today, but I just hung in there and missed it in the proper spots pretty much all day and made a couple of putts,” Woods said.
“I putted well today, I really did.”
Additional reporting © AFP 2018
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Golf Rory McIlroy Tiger Woods WGC Bridgestone Invitational